How Much Does a Dental Savings Plan Cost?

By The Dental Savings EditorsReviewed July 20265 min readWe earn commission when you enroll. We don't get paid to rank plans.
Short answer

Individual dental savings plans cost $79–$199/year ($7–$17/month). Family plans cost $189–$299/year ($12–$25/month). Careington 500 Series — the most widely accepted — costs $129/year individual and $189/year family. No deductibles, copays, claims, or annual maximums.

2026 Price Ranges

Individual

$79–$199/yr

Family

$189–$299/yr

No monthly fees, no deductibles, no claims. One flat annual fee.

2026 Pricing by Plan

PlanIndividualFamilyNotes
Careington 500 Series$129/yr$189/yrMost widely accepted
Aetna Dental Savings$75/yr$105/yrStrong PPO network
Humana Dental Savings~$84/yr (monthly billing only)No family tier — priced per applicantLarge national network
Cigna Dental Savings$96/yr$132/yrGood urban coverage
DentalPlans.com$79–$199/yr$119–$299/yrMarketplace, varies by plan
Aspen Dental Savings Plan$49/yr+$29/yr per extra memberAspen offices only — not a national network

Aspen's $49/year figure is the in-office membership, not a national-network plan. Full charge and discount table: Aspen Dental Savings Plan vs a national plan.

The Full Cost Picture

The annual membership fee is only part of what you pay. Here's the complete cost breakdown for a typical year:

Annual membership fee

Flat fee, paid once per year

$99–$199

Routine cleaning + X-rays (×2)

vs. $300–$500 without a plan

$155–$265 discounted

Filling (if needed)

vs. $150–$300 without a plan

$95–$145 discounted

Crown (if needed)

vs. $1,000–$1,800 without a plan

$600–$900 discounted

Is the Plan Worth It?

Two cleanings + X-rays without a plan: $300–$500. With a $129/year plan: $155–$265 in procedure costs + $99 membership = $254–$364 total. You save money on routine care alone.

Add one filling ($95–$145 discounted vs $150–$300) and you've doubled your savings. Any crown, root canal, or major work pays for the plan many times over.

The most popular option is the Careington 500 Series at $129/year — it has the largest network and consistently strong discounts. If you want a large national network with a different price structure, Aetna Dental Access is worth comparing by ZIP code.

What's Not Included in the Price

  • No deductibles (unlike insurance)
  • No copays (unlike insurance)
  • No claim forms (unlike insurance)
  • No annual maximums (unlike insurance's $1,000–$2,000 cap)
  • You pay the discounted fee to the dentist directly — no reimbursement needed

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a dental savings plan cost?

Individual dental savings plans cost $79–$199/year ($7–$17/month). Family plans cost $189–$299/year ($12–$25/month). The most popular plan — Careington 500 Series — costs $129/year for individuals and $189/year for families. There are no deductibles, copays, or claims — just the flat annual fee.

Is there a monthly fee for dental savings plans?

Most dental savings plans charge annually, not monthly. You pay one flat fee per year — typically $129–$189 for individuals. Some plans offer monthly payment options, but the annual price is almost always lower. Avoid plans that push monthly billing with no annual option.

Are there any hidden costs in dental savings plans?

No claims, no deductibles, no copays, no annual maximums. The fee schedule shows exactly what you'll pay for each procedure. The only cost is the annual membership fee plus the discounted procedure fees at the dentist. Some plans charge a small processing fee at enrollment.

Are dental savings plans worth the cost?

For most people, yes. A $129/year individual plan pays for itself with a single cleaning and set of X-rays. Any major work (fillings, crowns, root canals) returns several times the annual cost in savings. Families with regular dental needs typically save $500–$1,500+ annually versus paying out-of-pocket.

See exact pricing for your dentist + procedure

We match you across 7 plans based on your dentist, zip code, and what you actually need. No email required to see results.