David Dunaway graduated from the University of Manchester in 1989 and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1992. He undertook his higher surgical training in Plastic Surgery in Leeds, Newcastle, London and at the Australian Craniofacial unit in Adelaide. He is also a qualified dentist and is a Fellow Dental Surgeon of the Royal College of Surgeons.

In 1996 he became a consultant Plastic Surgeon at Canniesburn Hospital in Scotland where his specialist interests were in facial deformity and Head and Neck surgery. In July of 2000 he was invited to join the Plastic Surgery and Craniofacial Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. He now leads the craniofacial service. He is also a member of the adult craniofacial service based at University College London Hospital and the Eastman Dental Hospital.

His principle academic interests are in the study of the functional aspects of syndromic craniosynostosis, the correction of congenital facial deformity and three dimensional surface imaging. He has published widely on frontofacial distraction osteogenesis.

In his private practice David Dunaway undertakes most aspects of cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery. He has a special interest in facial rejuvenation and rhinoplasty. He has an international practise in the treatment of craniofacial conditions.