Dr. Barbosa-Ruiz was born and raised in Bogota Colombia area. She attended Colombia Dental School in Bogota Colombia where she earned her DDS. She moved to the United States and in 1991 received her Preceptorship in Periodontics at the University of Texas in Houston. This program enhances the preceptor’s knowledge necessary for evaluation and treatment of patients with periodontal diseases and implant needs. She was a clinical instructor for both the University of Texas Dental Branch and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry. She continued her education at the University of Pennsylvania Dental School in Philadelphia earning her DMD in 1994.