Dr. Kharbanda is a rare professional who combines clinical expertise as an Orthodontist, Cleft Orthodontist, and exceptional Dentist, along with serving as a postgraduate teacher, researcher, and mentor.
He is actively involved in clinical work, as well as academic and administrative responsibilities.
Dr. Kharbanda joined AIIMS in 1985, marking the beginning of the MDS Orthodontics program, which was the country's first full-time, three-year residency in orthodontics. This unique curriculum also focused on early orthodontics and growth modification, emphasising non-extraction treatment methods. In contrast, other institutions offered programs that lasted either two or two and a half years. Following the Dental Council of India's resolution, other institutions across the country adopted the three-year program.
His commitment to a functional approach in orthodontics has led to widespread adoption of Twin Block therapy, which he initiated and extensively researched at AIIMS. This therapy has effectively treated thousands of children with smaller jaws, avoiding the need for major surgical procedures, costly fixed appliance treatments, or dental extractions.
As the Chief of the Centre for Dental Education and Research (CDER) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, Dr. Kharbanda transformed CDER into India's premier tertiary referral centre for complex dental diseases. Under his leadership, CDER has become recognised as a centre of excellence for dental super-speciality training, clinical care, and the development of oral health policy frameworks.
One of Dr. Kharbanda's most significant contributions is the establishment of the National Referral and Research Centre for Higher Dental Studies (NaRRIDS). This first-of-its-kind, exclusive multidisciplinary institute focuses on advanced dental and craniofacial research. NaRRIDS was dedicated to the nation by the Honourable Prime Minister of India in 2024 and is expected to have a profound impact on India's position in global dental research and innovations, contributing to the goal of making India "Atma Nirbhar."
Dr. Kharbanda led the National Oral Health Program (NOHP) to integrate oral health into public services. He developed operational guidelines and community outreach initiatives, and incorporated dental care into Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to provide broader access.
He also curated and created "eDantSeva," India's first national digital oral health platform, which offers education, self-diagnosis tools, brushing techniques, resources for locating dentists, games, and more.
For the visually impaired, Braille with voice-over resources were developed. He continues to provide advisory support for initiatives related to the NOHP.
As a strong advocate for including oral health in Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Dr. Kharbanda collaborated with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and contributed to the Global Oral Health Status report and UHC strategies. He hosted the World Conference on Preventive Dentistry, emphasising early oral cancer detection and dental disease prevention.
He served as an expert for the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and curated research priorities in oral health. Authored National Guidelines on Oral Cancer along with the National Academy of Medical Sciences.
Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Kharbanda, the care of children with facial defects has been prioritised, particularly through his role as co-chair of the Rashtriya Bal SwasthyaKaryakram (RBSK). This initiative focuses on early detection and the coordination of timely treatments, positively impacting the lives of countless children across India.
Dr. Kharbanda played a pivotal role in curating and leading the IndiaCleft Task Force Project, resulting in the development of "IndiCleft," an innovative web-based tool designed for research, public awareness, treatment guidance, and the implementation of new cleft care protocols in low-resource settings.
His dedication to advancing the field is further demonstrated by the establishment of India's first advanced fellowship program in Cleft Orthodontics. He has also organised a series of national training sessions and created specialised treatment facilities, complete with bilingual educational materials tailored for patient understanding.
His authoritative textbook, "Cleft Orthodontics," stands as an essential resource, being the first of its kind dedicated exclusively to this critical area.
Dr. Kharbanda's influence extends through his mentorship of 109 postgraduate students pursuing MDS, MS, and PhD degrees, both in India and internationally.
His research endeavours have garnered 15 national and 4 international grants, and he boasts an impressive portfolio of over 300 publications.
With an H-index of 40 and more than 5,400 citations, his scholarly contributions are well recognised, evidenced by a ResearchGate readership score of 149270, placing his RG score of 2409 above 99% of his peers in the realm of dental and craniofacial research.
His internationally acclaimed textbook on malocclusion, published by Elsevier in three editions, is currently being translated into non-English languages, with an anticipated release in 2025 that will broaden its impact.
Dr. Kharbanda has shared his expertise as a visiting professor at prestigious institutions in the United States, Europe, Australia, Malaysia, and India, delivering over 200 compelling presentations to audiences worldwide.
He has also contributed to the academic community by serving on the editorial boards of several esteemed journals, including the American Journal of Orthodontics, the British Journal of Orthodontics, and the Australian Orthodontic Journal. Moreover, he serves as a peer review expert for numerous significant international publications, thereby enhancing the quality of research in dental and craniofacial studies.
Beyond his pioneering work in orthodontics, Dr. Kharbanda has made significant contributions as the coordinator and later Chief of the KL Wig Centre for Medical Education and Technology. He spearheaded the creation of the "SET" (Simulation, E-learning, Tele-teaching) facility. This cutting-edge program has revolutionised faculty development and teaching methodologies at AIIMS, fostering an environment of continuous learning and skill enhancement.
Following his retirement from AIIMS, Dr. Kharbanda has continued to serve the community in meaningful ways. In his role as the Dr. CG Pandit National Chair at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), he has actively championed cleft care initiatives and contributed to the development of COVID-19 guidelines.
He co-chairs "Ananta Muskan," a national toothbrushing program implemented in schools, promoting oral health awareness among children.
In addition to these roles, he remains a dedicated mentor as a visiting professor, supervising PhD candidates, while also fulfilling administrative responsibilities as Pro Vice-Chancellor of Health. His leadership has significantly contributed to transforming Ramiah Health Institutions into vibrant academic centres, fostering a new generation of healthcare professionals.
Dr. Kharbanda's exceptional contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed; he has received numerous prestigious accolades and awards from both national and international professional organisations, celebrating his commitment to advancing healthcare and education.