As dentists, we know that learning doesn’t stop when we graduate, and that’s something we take to heart at the London Dental Institute. But it’s hard to keep learning, keep growing, keep moving, when you’re by yourself.
That’s the value of community and is why universities across the UK and the globe prioritise community events, meet-ups, peer collaboration, and more.
At the LDi, we don’t have halls of residence or common rooms, so our community has to be virtual.
That’s where the Graduate Network comes in.
In this blog, we’re shining the spotlight on our Graduate Network and what it offers our recent graduates.
What Is the Graduate Network?
The Graduate Network is a virtual hub designed to keep LDi alumni connected, supported, and continually learning as they progress in their professional careers.
As part of the accreditation process, students complete their Diploma within a set timeframe, meaning that access to the VLE after graduation cannot be guaranteed.
As a workaround, we offer the Graduate Network to our recent graduates, a way to continue accessing the valuable resources within the Virtual Learning Environment, from up-to-date modules to hands-on clinical case forums, and remain a part of our global community.
By becoming a member of the Graduate Network, students can continue to enjoy the hands-on support offered in the clinical case forum, take part in virtual events and discussions as they like, and remain connected to their peers and tutors.
Through the duration of their membership, graduates also get exclusive early access to in-demand events and lifetime discounts on future courses. This ensures that even as new challenges arise in their practice, they have the tools, support, and community to thrive.
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Enrol now to on one of our postgraduate level diploma programmes to enhance your skills, access exclusive resources, join our global community, and more.
Why Community Is Invaluable
One of the reasons Dr. James Mackenzie and Dr. John Fagbemi, our founders, were so keen on starting and growing the Graduate Network was their own experience of postgraduate study. While they were enrolled in courses they loved the live events, the lectures, and the socialising.
But once the course came to an end, it was an abrupt switch to being on their own, which they found quite isolating.
They found that shared learning experiences are vital for truly embedding new skills, and techniques change all the time. Unless there’s a way to keep your finger on the pulse, it’s easy to become out-of-date.
The supportive connections that a network like this affords are part of the lifelong journey we want to offer students of the LDi. The Graduate Network bridges that gap, ensuring that graduates remain connected to a thriving community of professionals who understand their challenges and ambitions, and plugged into resources and live support for when they need it most.
How the Graduate Network Supports You
Through the Graduate Network, members can access all course module content, including theory, recorded webinars, clinical guide videos, clinical guide PDF documents, and practical exercises. This guarantees the information you need is always at your fingertips, whether you’re tackling a particularly challenging case or refreshing your knowledge on a specific technique.
As the cutting-edge of dentistry evolves, we regularly update course modules with new content, helping graduates stay up to date with the latest practices and techniques taught on the Diploma. But perhaps most importantly, the Network offers graduates unlimited access to our clinical support forum, to ask questions and receive continued support from clinical tutors on their cases.
Dentistry evolves rapidly, with new techniques, technologies, and best practices emerging regularly. Being part of a network ensures that practitioners stay ahead of the curve and continue to provide the highest standard of care for their patients.
How to Join the Graduate Network
Only graduates of a postgraduate Diploma at the London Dental Institute are welcome to join the graduate network, and invites will be sent to your email address once you’ve successfully completed your Diploma,
Membership is available in two tiers:
- Premium Membership: Provides full clinical support, access to all course content, live study clubs, and a 10% discount on live events. Membership costs £150 per month or £1500 per year (with two months free when paying annually).
- Core Membership: Offers access to course module content and a 10% discount on live events. Membership costs £95 per month or £950 per year (with two months free when paying annually).
Both membership options are designed to provide flexibility and support, meaning our graduates can continue their learning journey in a way that works for them.
The Last Word
Dentistry is not like other professions, where one period of learning in your teens sets you up for a career for life. Instead, as responsible dental professionals, we must continually seek learning opportunities, invest in ourselves, and be disciplined enough to continue studying long into our careers.
And it’s not easy doing that alone. It’s a lot of work to find the opportunities, build connections that keep you current, and find reputable, quality opportunities that will help you build tangible career progression.
The Graduate Network is just one example of how the LDi makes all that a little easier for our community. If you’re interested in becoming a member of our community and studying for a Diploma, browse our courses here.
