Dentistry has been Dr. Barakat's passion since she was fitted with braces as a teenager and was inspired by the dentists that treated her. She grew up in a multicultural environment so she can relate to patients of all backgrounds. Her education began in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, a city well known for its academia. She then attended the prominent liberal arts university, Boston College, and stayed in Boston to attend the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine where she earned her dental degree. Wanting to advance her skills further, she completed a residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Michigan.

She believes education in dentistry should never stop and is committed to lifelong learning to ensure that she stays current with her dental skills, and with the changing nature of dentistry. Never satisfied with doing only the minimum to maintain her license, she takes hundreds of hours of continuing education in order to improve the care she delivers to her patients. That is why she is among the distinguished 6 % of dentists in North America who have earned Fellowship status in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) and is currently on track to earn her Mastership, which is the highest credential given to general dentists. She also earned a Fellowship in the prestigious Misch Implant Institute to better serve her patients who need dental implants.

Dr. Barakat has a special interest in Sports Dentistry - the branch of Sports Medicine that focuses on the oral and dental health of athletes. Having always been active in various sports and athletics herself, she received additional training through the Academy for Sports Dentistry, an organization dedicated to the oral health of both professional and amateur athletes. Her training has helped her treat professional athletes and helps guide her athletic and fitness focused patients to protect their teeth and jaws during their activities. It also makes her well versed on how to manage traumatic dental injuries resulting from either sports or daily activities.

Aside from clinical dentistry, being a leader in organized dentistry has been an important part of the profession for Dr. Barakat. She had the privilege of serving as President of the California Academy of General Dentistry (CAGD), an opportunity to help her colleagues and other general dentists in California with their continuing education goals and pursuit of clinical excellence for patient care. She currently serves on the Academy of General Dentistry's Legislative and Governmental Affairs Council which oversees the advocacy efforts of the Academy in order to advance the dental profession for the betterment of patients and communities. She has also served as Past President of the San Diego Academy of General Dentistry, and she is currently serving on the Editorial Board of her local San Diego County Dental Society.

When not chairside with patients, she plays league tennis, runs, swims and is happy being outdoors in beautiful San Diego.

Her practice philosophy is patient-centered with a focus on compassion and quality. She is committed to forming long term relationships with her patients and making their comfort a priority in her practice. She loves to make her patients laugh and believes her fun office culture helps reduce her patients’ dental anxiety.

Memberships