Aetna Dental Savings at $75/year ($7.99/mo) is the cheapest fixed-price dental savings plan with a national network (262,000+ locations). Humana runs about $84/year ($6.99/mo) and Cigna $96/year. All pay for themselves with a single cleaning. The cheapest plan that includes your existing dentist is the right one.
Aetna Dental Savings at $75/year ($7.99/mo) is the cheapest fixed-price dental savings plan with a national network of 262,000+ participating locations, making it the best value for most people. Humana runs about $84/year ($6.99/mo) and Cigna $96/year. 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 | Aetna Dental Savings | $75/yr | $105/yr | 262,000+ | Lowest fixed price, largest network |
| #2 | Humana Dental Savings | ~$84/yr ($6.99/mo) | No family tier (priced per applicant) | 135,000+ | Strong senior + Medicare appeal |
| #3 | Cigna Dental Savings | $96/yr | $132/yr | ~110,000 | Good urban PPO coverage |
| #4 | Careington 500 | $129/yr | $189/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.
Aetna Dental Savings at $75/year hits the value sweet spot — the lowest fixed individual price of any plan here, on the largest published network (262,000+ locations), which means your existing dentist is more likely to already accept it.
For a single adult who wants the cheapest plan with broad dentist acceptance, Aetna 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). If network breadth and clear couple/family tiers matter more than shaving off the last few dollars, Careington 500 Series at $129/year 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 $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.
Aetna Dental Savings at $75/year is the cheapest fixed-price dental savings plan, and it pairs that price with the largest published network (262,000+ locations) — the right pick for most people. If you want the broadest network with clear couple/family tiers, Careington at $129/year is worth a look. 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, Aetna's $105/year plan is the cheapest family tier on this list. 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 $12.95/month if billed monthly (~$107/year) versus $129/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 $129/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, Aetna at $75/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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