A popular internet sensation known as ‘David after Dentist’ is now 25 years old and still receives recognition 17 years after his amusing post-dental surgery musings. David DeVore, hailing from Florida in the United States, was merely seven years old when he famously questioned, “is this real life?” while his father captured his comical reaction to anesthesia. The YouTube video documenting this moment has amassed a remarkable 143 million views, marking it as one of the earliest homemade viral hits on the platform.
Fast forward almost two decades, David shared insights with The Mirror about his current life and the lingering recognition as the child from the dentist video. Reflecting on this, he mentioned, “People have started to recognize me more in recent years, especially after various interviews as an adult. It has brought a refreshing change to my life!”
In a conversation with a reporter three years ago during his fourth year at the University of Florida, David provided an update on his life journey. He shared, “Things have been fantastic! Since our last discussion, I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science. Subsequently, I secured a remote job post-graduation, allowing me to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia, with my girlfriend and embrace the post-grad life in a vibrant city.”
Furthermore, David mentioned embarking on his master’s degree in computer science at Georgia Tech, expressing his joy in learning and growing independently while shaping his future. Despite the whirlwind of events, the famous YouTube video remains accessible online, although its upload to the platform was a serendipitous decision by David’s father, who initially recorded it while his wife was away.
In the iconic video, David, still under the influence of medication, amusingly questioned the reality around him, leading to memorable lines like “I didn’t feel anything… I feel funny… is this real life?” The video quickly gained traction, reaching three million views within three days, propelling David and his family into unexpected fame, even landing them on the red carpet at a movie premiere.
Looking back on the journey, David emphasized the positive impact of the video and the remarkable experiences it brought into his life. Despite some surreal encounters with strangers, especially during the video’s early days, David remains grateful for the opportunities and adventures the viral moment has provided him.
Acknowledging the unique timing of the video’s virality in 2009 when he was just seven years old, David expressed gratitude for not being older when the fame hit. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a grounded perspective amidst the sudden spotlight, ensuring that the video did not overshadow his identity.
Although David typically avoids discussing the video with peers, its impact resurfaced in 2021 when the original unedited clip was sold as an NFT for a substantial sum, aiding in funding his and his brother’s education. Reflecting on this, David humorously shared how he leveraged the ‘David After Dentist’ anecdote in his University of Florida application essay, potentially influencing his acceptance.
Overall, David remains appreciative of the unexpected journey the video set him on, emphasizing the valuable lessons and unique experiences it brought into his life.
