Updated July 2026 · 4 min read
Quick Answer
Usually the same thing with different marketing names. Both give you discounts at participating dentists. The name doesn't matter — what matters is the network size, discount depth, and annual fee. That's it.
The dental discount market has a marketing problem. The same product gets called:
They all describe the same basic product: you pay an annual fee, get a membership card, and use it at participating dentists for discounted rates. The variation is in network size, discount percentages, and what procedures are covered.
Good sign
80,000+ dentist locations
Red flag
Under 20,000 locations — can't find a dentist in your area
Good sign
20–60% off most procedures
Red flag
5–10% off — barely worth the membership fee
Good sign
$99–$189/year
Red flag
Over $200/year OR monthly billing with no annual option
Good sign
Covers preventive, restorative, major, and specialty work
Red flag
Only covers cleanings and fillings — excludes crowns, implants, ortho
Good sign
Careington, Aetna, Cigna, Humana
Red flag
Unknown brand, no BBB listing, no verifiable dentist network
Legitimate ones aren't. Red flags to watch for:
They are usually the same product under different names. Both give you access to a network of dentists who charge pre-negotiated discounted rates. "Dental savings plan" is the more formal term; "dental discount card" is the colloquial name. The key difference to look for is the quality of the network and the depth of discounts — not the name.
Legitimate dental discount cards from established companies (Careington, Aetna, Cigna, Humana) are not scams. The discounts are real and contractually committed with participating dentists. However, there are low-quality discount cards that have tiny networks or minimal discounts. Stick to established plans with verifiable dentist networks.
It depends on the specific product. A Careington "dental discount card" is functionally equivalent to a "dental savings plan" — same network, same discounts. What actually matters is the size of the network, the depth of discounts at your specific dentist, and the annual fee. Don't be misled by marketing terminology.
Network size, discount depth, procedure coverage — all in one table.