Cigna Dental Savings at $96/year ($8/mo) is the cheapest fixed-price dental savings plan with a national network. Humana runs about $84/year ($6.99/mo, billed monthly). Aetna Dental Access (262,000+ locations) and Careington are $149/year through 1Dental. All pay for themselves with a single cleaning. The cheapest plan that includes your existing dentist is the right one.
Cigna Dental Savings at $96/year is the cheapest fixed-price dental savings plan with a national network (about 110,000 dentists). Humana runs about $84/year ($6.99/mo, billed monthly). Aetna Dental Access, with 262,000+ participating locations, and Careington both cost $149/year through 1Dental (or $14.95/mo plus a $30 setup fee). All options are dramatically cheaper than individual dental insurance, which runs $30–60/month ($360–720/year) and adds deductibles, copays, waiting periods, and a $1,000–2,000 annual cap.
Last updated: July 2026 | All pricing verified from official plan websites
| Rank | Plan | Individual | Family | Network | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cigna Dental Savings | $96/yr | $132/yr | ~110,000 | Lowest fixed price; good urban PPO coverage |
| #2 | Humana Dental Savings | ~$84/yr ($6.99/mo) | No family tier (priced per applicant) | 135,000+ | Strong senior + Medicare appeal |
| #3 | Aetna Dental Savings | $149/yr through 1Dental | $199/yr | 262,000+ | Largest published network |
| #4 | Careington 500 | $149/yr through 1Dental | $199/yr | One of the largest | Largest network, most widely accepted |
| #5 | DentalPlans.com | $79–$199/yr | $119–$299/yr | Varies | Marketplace — 30+ plans by zip |
Prices reflect baseline individual tier. Actual cost depends on zip code, billing frequency, and family size. Aspen Dental's in-office plan is cheaper still ($49/year) but only works at Aspen offices — see Aspen Dental Savings Plan vs a national plan.
If your priority is implants, dentures, or other major restorative work, Humana and Cigna run deeper discounts on those specific procedures than the cheapest routine-care plans. They cost a little more per year, but for a single large procedure the stronger fee schedule can more than offset the difference.
Whichever plan you lean toward, look up your current or preferred dentist in that plan's directory by zip code before enrolling. The cheapest plan that includes your existing dentist is almost always the right call — a few dollars a year saved isn't worth the headache of switching providers.
Cigna Dental Savings at $96/year has the lowest fixed individual price of any plan here, and its family tier ($132/year) is the cheapest too. Humana can cost less for one person at $6.99/month, but it bills monthly and prices every applicant separately. Aetna Dental Access costs more at $149/year through 1Dental, but its network is the largest we track (262,000+ locations), which means your existing dentist is more likely to already accept it.
For a single adult who wants the cheapest fixed price, Cigna is the pick if your dentist participates; if not, Aetna through 1Dental widens the net. The plan activates in 3 business days, has no waiting period for any covered procedure, and discounts cleanings down to roughly $50 (vs. $150–250 at retail prices). If network breadth and clear couple/family tiers matter more than shaving off the last few dollars, Careington 500 Series at $149/year through 1Dental has been in the dental savings space since 1979, has 15M+ members, and offers one of the largest dental networks in the U.S.
Even the most expensive plan on our list — DentalPlans.com at up to $199/year — is dramatically cheaper than individual dental insurance. The average individual dental insurance policy in 2026 runs $30–60/month ($360–720/year), and that's before deductibles ($50–150), waiting periods (6–12 months for major work), and annual maximums (typically $1,000–2,000).
For uninsured Americans, the cheapest dental savings plan saves money on routine cleanings alone — a $96 plan (Cigna) plus two discounted cleanings ($155–265 total procedure cost) typically beats two retail cleanings ($300–500). Add any procedure beyond cleanings and the savings compound rapidly. See our full savings plan vs. insurance comparison for the breakeven math.
Cigna Dental Savings at $96/year is the cheapest fixed-price dental savings plan — the right pick if your dentist participates. If you want the largest published network, Aetna Dental Access at $149/year through 1Dental is worth the extra; for clear two-member and 3+ household tiers, Careington is the same $149/year through 1Dental. If you need major restorative work, Humana or Cigna are worth a look for their deeper implant and denture discounts — provided your dentist is in-network. The small difference in annual price is trivial compared to the value of keeping your existing dentist.
For families, Cigna's $132/year plan is the cheapest family tier on this list; Aetna and Careington are $199/year through 1Dental for 3+. Use our free quiz to find the cheapest plan that includes your dentist and matches your specific needs.
Humana and Cigna have standout discounts on implants and dentures, and Careington includes implants too. If braces are your primary need, Careington, Aetna, and Cigna include orthodontia discounts. Match the plan to the specific procedure you need.
Several plans offer monthly billing at a slightly higher total cost. Careington 500 Series is $14.95/month through 1Dental if billed monthly (about $179/year plus a $30 setup fee) versus $149/year with no setup fee if paid upfront. Almost always pay annually if you can — you save about $60 in the first year.
Most plans don't charge enrollment fees on annual billing, but some charge a one-time setup or processing fee (1Dental adds $30 on monthly billing). Always check before enrolling. The $149/year Careington price through 1Dental is the all-in price for the first year. There's no claim fees, copays, deductibles, or annual maximums.
No — discount percentages are remarkably similar across plans, typically 10–60% off retail prices depending on procedure. The differences between plans are mostly network size and which dentists honor the plan in your area, not how steep the discounts are.
Yes. If you just need two annual cleanings and the occasional small filling, Cigna at $96/year pays for itself on routine care alone. There's no benefit to a more expensive plan unless your dentist isn't in the network.
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