Dr. Ritola was born in Sheridan, Wyoming. He attended and graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. He received his dental degree from Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry in Portland, Oregon in 1995. The following year, Dr. Ritola completed a General Practice Residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This training further developed his broad range of skills in all aspects of dentistry, including facial trauma.