Spirit Dental at ~$79/year is the absolute cheapest, but Careington 500 Series at $99/year is the cheapest plan with a national 200,000+ dentist network — making it the better value for most people. Both pay for themselves with a single cleaning. The cheapest plan that includes your existing dentist is the right one.
Spirit Dental is the cheapest dental savings plan at approximately $79/year for individuals. Careington 500 Series at $99/year is the cheapest plan with a national network of 200,000+ participating dentists. Family plans range from $149/year (Spirit) to $179/year (Careington, Humana). All major plans dramatically undercut dental insurance, which averages $360–720/year before deductibles and waiting periods.
Spirit Dental is the cheapest at approximately $79/year for individuals. Careington 500 Series at $99/year is the cheapest plan with a national network of 200,000+ participating dentists, making it the better value for most people. Both 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: February 2026 | All pricing verified from official plan websites
| Rank | Plan | Individual | Family | Network | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Spirit Dental | $79–$99/yr | $149–$199/yr | ~100,000 | Includes ortho + implant discounts |
| #2 | Careington 500 | $99/yr | $179/yr | 200,000+ | Largest network, most widely accepted |
| #3 | Humana Dental Savings | $99/yr | $179/yr | 200,000+ | Strong senior + Medicare appeal |
| #4 | Cigna Dental Savings | $109/yr | $189/yr | 100,000+ | Good urban PPO coverage |
| #5 | Aetna Dental Savings | $119/yr | $199/yr | 217,000+ | Corporate PPO network |
| #6 | Ameritas Dental | $129/yr | $219/yr | 100,000+ | Strong Midwest/Southeast |
| #7 | 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.
Spirit Dental keeps its annual fee around $79 by running a smaller, leaner network (~100,000 dentists vs. Careington's 200,000+) and bundling its discount card with optional add-ons rather than building a comprehensive offering. The plan still covers all major procedure categories — cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, and even orthodontia and implants — so it isn't "stripped down." It's just narrower geographically.
For people who live in markets where Spirit's network is strong, this is a genuine bargain. Before enrolling, look up your current or preferred dentist in the Spirit Dental directory by zip code. If your dentist isn't on the list, the $20/year difference between Spirit and Careington isn't worth the headache of switching providers.
Careington 500 Series at $99/year hits the value sweet spot. At only $20/year more than Spirit, it doubles the participating dentist count — 200,000+ providers nationwide — which means your existing dentist is far more likely to already accept it. Careington has been in the dental savings space since 1979, has 15M+ members, and powers many of the white-label plans sold under brand names like Humana Dental Savings.
For a single adult who wants the cheapest plan that "just works" without changing dentists, Careington is almost always the right call. 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).
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 $99 plan 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.
Spirit Dental at ~$79/year is the cheapest dental savings plan — but it only wins if your dentist is in its smaller network. Careington 500 Series at $99/year is the cheapest plan with broad acceptance (200,000+ dentists nationwide) and is the right pick for most people. The $20/year difference between them is trivial compared to the value of keeping your existing dentist.
For families, Careington's $179/year plan covers everyone in the household for under $4/person/month. Use our free quiz to find the cheapest plan that includes your dentist and matches your specific needs.
Spirit Dental at $79/year includes discounts on orthodontia and implants — most other plans at this price point exclude major work. Careington and Humana include implants but at slightly higher procedure discounts. If braces or implants are your primary use case, Spirit's price + coverage combo is hard to beat.
Some plans (Careington, Spirit) offer monthly billing at slightly higher total cost. Careington 500 Series is $8.95/month if billed monthly (~$107/year) versus $99/year if paid upfront. Almost always pay annually if you can — you save the equivalent of one month every year.
Most plans don't charge enrollment fees, but some charge a one-time $20 processing fee. Always check before enrolling. The $99/year you see advertised should be 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, Spirit Dental at $79/year or Careington at $99/year both pay for themselves 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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