What Is the Careington 500 Series Dental Plan?

By The Dental Savings EditorsReviewed July 20263 min readWe earn commission when you enroll. We don't get paid to rank plans.

Updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Quick Answer

Careington 500 Series is America's most accepted dental discount plan. $129/year for individuals, a broad national dentist network, 20–60% off all procedures, no waiting periods, no annual maximum. Probably the most straightforward dental savings plan you'll find.

How the Careington 500 Series Works

  1. 1
    Pay $129/yearOne flat annual fee. No monthly billing, no deductibles, no claims.
  2. 2
    Find a dentistUse Careington's locator at careington.com. Most major chains are included (Aspen Dental, Gentle Dental, etc.)
  3. 3
    Show your cardPresent your Careington membership card at the front desk. The office looks up the pre-negotiated rate.
  4. 4
    Pay the discounted feeYou pay the plan rate directly to the dentist. No claims, no waiting for reimbursement.

What the 500 Series Covers

ProcedureTypical DiscountExample Savings
Cleaning + X-rays25–40%$100–$200 saved
Fillings (composite)20–40%$60–$120 saved per filling
Root canal20–35%$200–$450 saved
Crown20–35%$250–$500 saved
Tooth extraction20–40%$60–$150 saved
Orthodontics (braces)15–20%$600–$1,400 saved per case
Implants15–25%$450–$1,000 saved
Dentures (full set)15–25%$375–$1,250 saved

Careington Plan Tiers Explained

Careington 500 Series

Dental only — the base plan most people get

$129/yr individual

Careington Care 500

Dental + some vision discounts depending on state

$129–$139/yr

Careington Dental, Vision & Prescription

Adds prescription discounts + broader vision coverage

$169–$189/yr

Who Should Use Careington 500 Series

Careington is a good fit if you:

  • Don't have employer dental coverage
  • Need coverage to start immediately (no waiting period)
  • Have a dentist who accepts Careington (check first)
  • Want coverage for implants or orthodontics without insurance restrictions

The only real caveat: Careington's discounts vary by dentist and location. Always check the exact discounted fee for your specific procedures at your specific dentist before enrolling.

Not sure if Careington is the right fit? Talk to our advisor to see which plan matches your needs.

Curious what other plans charge? Our cost breakdown compares pricing across all the major plans. And if you're concerned about using the plan right away, here's the deal on waiting periods — spoiler: there aren't any.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Careington 500 Series dental plan?

Careington 500 Series is the most widely used dental discount plan in the United States. Careington does not publish a participating-dentist count. Members pay $129/year and receive 20–60% discounts on all dental procedures. It covers preventive care, fillings, crowns, root canals, orthodontics, and implants with no waiting periods and no annual maximums.

How much does the Careington 500 Series cost?

Individual membership: $129/year. Family membership: $189/year. There are no monthly fees, no deductibles, and no claim forms. Activate within 1–3 business days and use your card at participating dentist locations nationwide.

Is Careington 500 Series worth it?

For most people, yes. The plan costs $129/year but a single routine visit (cleaning + X-rays) typically saves $150–$300 at the discounted rate. Any crown, root canal, or major procedure easily justifies the annual fee. It's one of the most cost-effective dental coverage options for people without employer insurance.

What is the difference between Careington Care 500 and Careington 500 Series?

Careington offers several plan tiers. The "500 Series" and "Care 500" are often the same base plan. The "Care 500 with Floridians" and specialty tiers add vision and prescription benefits. All use the same dental network. When in doubt, compare the fee schedules — the dental discount percentages are what matter.

Ready to Compare Careington With Other Plans?

See how Careington stacks up on price, network, and procedure discounts.