Per Bergman graduated from school in 1906. He then started commercial training and worked as an assistant for the predecessor of the State Institution for the Retirement of Elementary School Teachers beginning in 1908. In 1912, he married Alda Karola Bergström, and the couple had three girls. In the same year he completed his training as a dentist. From 1913-17 he was employed by a dental institute in the department for dental filling and surgery. In 1915, he became head of the dental clinic at the military garrison in Stockholm. During all this time (1914-28), he also worked part-time in the laboratory of the Policlinic for oral and dental diseases of the garrison hospital. During World War I, he made a study trip to Germany with a scholarship to study the treatment of jaw injuries. Per Bergman was appointed a Knight of the Order of Vasa.
Already in his younger days, Bergman was an avid sailor and member of the KSSS. He was a crew member of the Erna Signe which placed second in both races behind the Norwegian Magda XI in the 12 metres class at the 1912 Olympics. Accordingly, the crew was awarded the silver medal.
Sweden