What Is the Best Dental Savings Plan for Families in 2026?

By The Dental Savings EditorsReviewed July 20266 min readWe earn commission when you enroll. We don't get paid to rank plans.
Short answer

1Dental is the best dental savings plan for families — one $19.08/month ($229/year) household membership covers the whole family on the Careington network with 20–60% off every procedure, no waiting periods, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Careington family ($18.95/month) wins if you want orthodontic discounts for the kids on a broad network; Aetna family ($10.99/month) has the lowest family price of any plan reviewed here. The right pick depends on whether your family dentist is in-network.

1Dental at $19.08/month ($229/year) is the best dental savings plan for most families because a single household membership covers everyone on the Careington network with 20–60% discounts, no waiting periods, and a 30-day money-back guarantee — the simplest way to get a whole family covered. Careington ($18.95/month family) is the better choice when you want the largest network and orthodontic discounts for kids, while Aetna ($10.99/month family) has the lowest family price of any plan reviewed here.

Last updated: July 2026 | Family pricing verified against each plan's current enrollment data

Best Family Plans by Category

  • Best for families: 1Dental ($19.08/mo or $229/yr) — one household membership, 30-day guarantee.
  • Best for braces: Careington ($18.95/mo family) — orthodontic discounts for kids.
  • Most dentist locations: Aetna ($10.99/mo family) — 262,000+ locations.
  • Best for major work: Humana ($6.99/mo individual, priced per applicant — no family tier) — strong on crowns, dentures, implants.
  • Best fee transparency: Cigna ($11/mo family) — fee schedules published online.

Best Dental Savings Plans for Families 2026: Ranked

Ranked by family price, network size, and savings percentage. All family prices verified from each plan's enrollment data. No paid placements.

#PlanFamily / moNetwork
11DentalBest for Families$19.08/mo ($229/yr)Careington network — one of the largest in the U.S.
2CareingtonLargest Network$18.95/mo or $189/yrOne of the largest in the U.S.
3Aetna Dental SavingsMost Dentist Locations$10.99/mo family262,000+
4Humana Dental SavingsStrong on Major Work$6.99/mo individual (no family tier)135,000+
5Cigna Dental SavingsBest Fee Transparency$11/mo family~110,000

For the full all-purpose ranking, see the best dental savings plan answer →

Best for Families: 1Dental

1Dental wins the family recommendation because one household membership covers everyone, with a simple signup and a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets a family try it risk-free. The 3+ member tier runs $229/year ($19.08/month), all fees included — there is no separate setup fee, no per-person deductible, and no annual maximum to track.

The plan runs on the Careington Care 500 network with 20–60% discounts and immediate use — you can often save the same day you join. For families who also need specialist work (braces, implants, oral surgery), the 1Dental Preferred Plan bundles in the Aetna specialist network. Read the full 1Dental review.

Largest Network for Families: Careington

Careington's family plan at $18.95/month ($189/year) pairs a broad U.S. dentist network with a 20% orthodontic discount, which matters when you need a pediatric dentist, an orthodontist, and a general dentist all in-network — the most common reason families choose it. It is not the lowest family price in the category (Aetna family runs $10.99/month), but it is one of the largest networks.

Like every plan here, there are no waiting periods, no deductibles, and no annual maximums. There is a one-time $20 processing fee, and activation takes 3 business days. Read the full Careington review.

Most Dentist Locations: Aetna Dental Savings

Aetna Dental Savings runs $10.99/month for families and has the most dentist locations of any plan here — 262,000+. In dense metro areas that translates to more in-network options within a short drive, which is the practical difference when you are booking cleanings for several kids. Savings run 15–50% with no waiting periods. Read the full Aetna Dental Savings review.

How to Choose a Family Plan

  1. Check every family dentist first. Confirm your general dentist, pediatric dentist, and orthodontist are in the plan's directory by zip code before enrolling — that is the single biggest factor.
  2. Count braces. If a child will need orthodontia, prioritize Careington, Aetna, or Cigna (ortho discounts) or the 1Dental Preferred bundle.
  3. Compare household tiers. Look at the full family price — some plans charge per household tier while others price per member, so compare the total annual cost for your family size.
  4. Confirm no waiting period. All plans here activate in ~3 business days with no waiting period for any family member.

Or skip the research and use our free advisor — answer 6 questions and we'll match your family to the plan that fits your dentists, procedures, and budget.

The Bottom Line

For most families, 1Dental at $19.08/month ($229/year) is the best dental savings plan — one household membership covering the whole family on a large network, no waiting periods, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Choose Careington if you want the largest network and orthodontic discounts for the kids, and Aetna if you live in a metro area and want the most dentist locations near home.

Every plan here is dramatically cheaper than family dental insurance and pays for itself with a single family cleaning. The cheapest plan that includes all of your family's dentists is almost always the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a family plan cheaper than individual plans?

Yes. Family plans cover the primary member, spouse, and dependents under one price, which is far cheaper than buying individual plans for each person.

Do family plans cover braces for kids?

Some do. Careington includes a 20% orthodontic discount on its family plan, and Aetna and Cigna offer ortho discounts on many plans (typically 20–25% off). 1Dental's Preferred bundle adds the Aetna specialist network for braces. Verify the fee schedule for your child's treatment.

Are there waiting periods or annual maximums?

No. Dental savings plans have no waiting periods, no annual maximums, no deductibles, and no claim forms for any family member. Activation takes about 3 business days.

Can I use a family plan with dental insurance?

Yes. Many families stack a savings plan with insurance — use insurance up to its annual cap, then the savings plan discount on additional work. Coordinate with the dentist's billing office.

What if my family dentist isn't in the network?

Check the plan's directory by zip code first. If your dentist isn't in-network, compare the other plans — network participation is the single biggest factor in which plan saves your family the most.

Best plan for your family's dentists + budget — in about a minute

We match you across 7 plans based on dentists, zip, and procedure needs. No email required to see results.

Related Pages