BISMARCK, ND - The University of Mary, America's Leadership University, is partnering with Military Ovation, a new support organization, to sponsor Ronald McDonald Care Mobile visits to three area communities, bringing free dental care to children of military families. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is a mobile dental clinic on wheels that delivers needed dental care to children ages 0-21 in Western North Dakota. Children of active duty and Guard/Reserve military, veterans and pregnant military spouses will have the opportunity to receive free dental work including cleanings, x-rays, light cavity work and extractions. The mobile clinic's first stop will be a visit to Bismarck April 16-20, which will also be sponsored by the Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, in honor of April being the Month of the Military Child. The clinic will then visit Minot, ND, from June 18-22, and Dickinson, ND, from July 9-13.

Parents of military kids and military spouses may register for these Ronald McDonald Care Mobile visits by e-mailing NDMilitaryKids@gmail.com, giving their phone number and the name of the community where they wish to have their dental appointment.

More than one-half of North Dakota children have had tooth decay and more than one in five children have untreated tooth decay. Untreated dental problems can result in pain and infection, create difficulty chewing and eating, and interfere with concentration and learning.

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is a 40-foot long state-of-the-art mobile dental clinic with its own dentist, dental hygienist and dental assistant. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of North Dakota is owned and operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Bismarck, which has partnered with Bridging the Dental Gap, Inc. of Bismarck, a non-profit dental clinic, to establish the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program. The Care Mobile is financially supported by Basin Electric, along with Touchstone Energy CooperativesŪ Roughrider Electric, Slope Electric, KEM Electric and Verendrye Electric.

Military Ovation is a new organization in the Dakotas with the mission of "standing in support of the troops, veterans and their families." Information is available by e-mailing Shelle Aberle at Shelle@MilitaryOvation.org or "liking" it on www.Facebook.com/militaryovation.

The University of Mary was founded by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery in 1959. Under their continued sponsorship, it exists to serve the needs of the people of this region and beyond, providing affordable Christian education and offering 53 undergraduate majors, eight master's programs, and a Doctor of Physical therapy degree. Christian, Catholic and Benedictine, it is dedicated to preparing leaders in the service of truth, providing a distinctive, values-based educational experience that fosters the formation of servant leaders with moral courage, global understanding, and commitment to the common good. Strongly committed to supporting the educational needs of the members of our military, U-Mary has been honored as a military-friendly school by Military Advanced Education in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, and by G.I. Jobs in 2010, 20111, and 2012. Mike Offerdahl is the point of contact for this Ronald McDonald Care Mobile initiative at U-Mary and can be contacted at MLOfferdahl@UMary.edu.

The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee works to increase community awareness and support of service members, veterans and their families in the area through: the Golden Eagle Award; military appreciation events/activities; business education on current issues; and the annual Chamber Leadership Scholarship. For how your business can be a part of the Military Affairs Committee, contact Chairperson Shelle Aberle at (218) 779-7271 or Shelle@MilitaryOvation.org.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Bismarck supports programs that improve the lives of children and their families. These include the Ronald McDonald House, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, and the RMHC Grant and Scholarship Programs. For more information contact the office at (701) 258-8551 or e-mail rmh@btinet.net.

Contacts at a Glance:
For dental appointments: E-mail NDMilitaryKids@gmail.com, with phone number and the name of the community where dental appointment is desired.
Bismarck-Mandan Military Affairs Committee: Shelle Aberle, chairperson at (218) 779-7271 or Shelle@MilitaryOvation.org.
Military Ovation: E-mail Shelle Aberle at Shelle@MilitaryOvation.org or "like" it on www.Facebook.com/militaryovation.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Bismarck: (701) 258-8551 or rmh@btinet.net.
University of Mary: E-mail project contact Mike Offerdahl at MLOfferdahl@UMary.edu.