Dr. Barnes was born and raised in Seattle. He attended the University of Washington as an undergraduate and received his degree from the UW School of Dentistry. He has been in private practice since 1973.

Dr. Barnes has been an active member of the Seattle-King County Dental Society as well as the Dental Alumni Association of the University of Washington. He has been honored as the Distinguished Alumnus by the University of Washington Dental Alumni Association, as well as being selected for Fellowship in the three Dental Honorary Groups: Pierre Fauchard Academy, American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists. He is the Vice-President of the Washington State Dental Association and the Vice Regent for District 11 (Northwest) for the International College of Dentists and has chaired the Dean Ernest M. Jones lectureship for thirty-two years. Dr Barnes is a certified Invisalign® dentist and is a member of an Invisalign Study Club.

He has attended numerous postgraduate courses on aesthetic dentistry, restorative dentistry and practice, and team development with a mission, teaching several courses himself. He has completed several courses at the L.D. Pankey Institute for postgraduate education. Dr. Barnes has been married to Mary Ann since 1967, and together they have four grown and successful children.