David was born and educated in Gisborne prior to completing his Dental Degree at Otago University in 1978. Following a year as Hospital Dentist for the Wellington Hospital Board he commenced Oral Surgery training at Burwood Hospital in Christchurch in 1980. This was continued with appointments at Sydney University and St Thomas Hospital in London with intervals in private Dental practice in Gisborne and Canberra.

David obtained fellowships by examination in Oral Surgery from the Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons in 1982 and the Irish Royal College of Surgeons in 2000.

David commenced practice in Tauranga in 1984 and enjoyed a blend of general Dental practice and Oral surgery until 1995 when he restricted his practice to full time Oral Surgery. He was joined in practice by John Bridgman in 2004 to form Tauranga OMS.