Dr. Shilpi Joshi, DMD, BDS, FICD, FPFA, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Lucy Hobbs Project Humanitarian Award (Humanitarian Category), recognizing her lifelong commitment to compassionate, equitable dental care and service to underserved communities.
Dr. Joshi, a Boston-based dentist and adjunct faculty member at Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, provides care to approximately 2,500 patients annually through her work at NeighborHealth (formerly East Boston Neighborhood Health Center). Serving a diverse population that includes Medicare, Medicaid, privately insured, and uninsured patients, she is known for tailoring care based on patient need and access, rather than financial means.
A graduate of Manipal College of Dental Sciences in India and Boston University’s dental program, Dr. Joshi has spent more than a decade teaching future dentists, including first-year students in BU’s APEX program. Her approach to education mirrors her clinical philosophy, blending technical excellence with empathy and trust.
Dr. Joshi’s humanitarian work extends beyond dentistry. She supports and volunteers with Educate Beyond, a local foster education program, and Saheli, a Boston-based nonprofit serving South Asian and Arab survivors of domestic violence. She is also involved in the National Dental Practice-Based Research organization.
Dr. Joshi’s dedication reflects a legacy of service passed down through generations of medical professionals in her family.
The Lucy Hobbs Project Humanitarian Award honors women in dentistry who exemplify leadership, service, and a commitment to improving lives.
Benco Dental—the publisher of Incisal Edge—founded the Lucy Hobbs Project in 2012 to celebrate the contributions of women in dentistry at a time when the gender balance in dental schools nationwide was just beginning to tip in a distaff direction.
For more information, visit https://www.incisaledgemagazine.com/mag/article/13th-annual-lucy-hobbs-awards-2026/.
