Meet the World’s Largest Truckstop’s Iowa-Trained Dentist

Just off I-80 in Walcott, Iowa, sits the World’s Largest Truckstop. Complete with nine restaurants, a movie theater, and a trucking museum, “it’s not your mom and dad’s gas station.” That’s according to Thomas Roemer (84BS, 88DDS), the truck stop’s full-time dentist.

PHOTO: JOHN EMIGH Hawkeye dentist Thomas Roemer provides care for truckers at Interstate Dental, located inside the World’s Largest Truckstop.

At the beginning of his career, Roemer had his own practice in the Quad Cities. His yellow pages ad attracted many truck drivers to his office. As the phone calls from drivers increased, Roemer saw an opportunity to fill a need.

He approached the owners of the World’s Largest Truckstop and asked if they had considered hiring a dentist. It didn’t take Roemer long to convince them of the benefits. Once the truck stop agreed, he signed a three-month lease “to give it a shot.” His short-term lease has turned into 32 years at Interstate Dental, where he has provided countless truckers with emergency dental care alongside his wife and office receptionist, Amy Roemer.

Even though the truck stop is centrally located, the middle of the Midwest isn’t on every driver’s route. Thomas Roemer says some drivers have traveled over 500 miles out of their way to receive dental care on the road.

“So many people say, ‘Dr. Tom, I wish there were more of you around the country,’” says Roemer, who was featured on a recent CBS Sunday Morning segment. “I’m just happy that I am able to provide them with the dental services that they need.”