Julius J. “JJ” Bentman, a former associate adjunct professor of oral medicine and periodontology at Penn Dental, passed away peacefully on July 19. He was 101. 

Born in 1919 in Philadelphia, Dr. Bentman earned undergraduate, dental, and periodontal degrees from Penn’s School of Dental Medicine. During World War II, Dr. Bentman was a captain in the U.S. Army, serving as a dentist at Fort Lewis, Washington and Excursion Inlet, Alaska. Decades later, after retiring from dentistry, he became an active member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). He visited elementary schools and educated students about the daily life of the troops who supported the front lines during World War II.

After the war, Dr. Bentman moved to Lancaster, where he established a private practice in periodontal dentistry and served as a consultant to the Lebanon VA and the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic. In 1947, he returned to his alma mater, becoming an instructor of oral medicine in Penn’s School of Dental Medicine. Five years later, he was promoted to an associate, and in 1955, he moved to the department of periodontology. In 1962, he became an assistant adjunct professor in periodontology, a position he held until leaving Penn in 1975. From 1957 to 1960, Dr. Bentman also served as a lecturer in the department of practice management. 

Outside of dentistry and military service, Dr. Bentman was an accomplished artist in a variety of media, contributing a piece to the Smithsonian Institute’s 1988 Tropical Rain Forest exhibit. He was also a sports enthusiast and an accomplished handyman, building and repairing tools and household objects. 

Dr. Bentman is survived by two daughters, Adrienne and Mara (Joseph LoPresti); his nephew, Russell Bentman; and two grandchildren. A private memorial service will be held by his family in the spring of 2022. Condolence contributions may be sent to Hospice and Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 or Jewish Family Service, 75 East James St., Lancaster, PA 17602.