By The Dental Savings Editors·Reviewed August 2026·4 min read·We earn commission when you enroll. We don't get paid to rank plans.
Short answer
Yes, at dentists that take both. 1Dental is a discount membership on the Careington Care 500 network, not a payer, so it does not conflict with your insurance claim. People pair it with insurance to discount cosmetic work insurance excludes, to keep saving after the roughly $1,000-$1,500 annual maximum runs out, and to bridge 6-12 month waiting periods.
Why they stack
Insurance pays; 1Dental lowers prices. One reimburses per policy terms, the other changes what the dentist charges members. Since no claim is ever filed through the membership, there is nothing for a second-payer conflict to attach to.
Three places the pairing earns its fee
Cosmetic work. Veneers, whitening, and bonding are excluded by nearly every policy; orthodontics and implants are listed discount categories under Care 500.
Past the annual maximum. When insurance stops paying for the year, the member rate keeps applying with no ceiling.
Waiting periods. New policies often delay major work 6-12 months. Care 500 is usable the day it is active.
What to confirm at the front desk
That the office participates in the Careington Care 500 network and files your insurance.
The billing order they use when both apply to one visit.
A written quote combining both for any large treatment plan.
If your employer heavily subsidizes a high-maximum plan and you only need two cleanings a year, the membership probably does not pay for itself. It earns its keep on uninsured categories, exhausted caps, or gaps between jobs. Full comparison: savings plans vs dental insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use 1Dental with dental insurance?
Yes, where the dentist participates in both. Confirm billing order with the office.
Do I file a claim for the discount?
No. The discounted price settles at the desk like cash. Only the insurance portion involves claims.
Does this replace COBRA dental?
For most people yes, at far lower cost, since it activates immediately. Mid-treatment cases are the exception where keeping group coverage can win.