Best Dental Savings Plans 2026
We compared 6 plans on price, network size, and real-world coverage. Here’s what we found.
Updated February 2026 · 6 plans reviewed · No paid placements
Careington is the best overall dental savings plan for most people — lowest price ($8.95/mo), second-largest network (200K+ dentists), and it works immediately with no waiting periods.
If you’re a senior or need major restorative work (implants, dentures), Humana is the better pick — largest network (350K+), strong discounts on major procedures.
All 6 Plans at a Glance
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Network | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CareingtonTop Pick | $8.95/mo | 200,000+ | Most people — widest network, lowest price |
| Humana Dental Savings | $9–$14/mo | 350,000+ | Seniors and anyone needing major restorative work |
| Aetna Dental Savings | $8–$14/mo | 217,000+ | People who want a nationally recognized insurance brand |
| Cigna Dental Savings | $10–$18/mo | 155,000+ | Existing Cigna customers and Northeast/Southeast residents |
| Spirit Dental | $11.99/mo | 120,000+ | Patients needing implants, dentures, or major restorative work |
| Ameritas | $10.99–$14.99/mo | 180,000+ | Rural residents and Midwest markets |
Our Top Picks, Explained
Careington
Best Overall- Cheapest plan available
- Largest network of any plan we reviewed
- 15M+ members (proven scale)
- No waiting period, works day one
- Discounts vary by provider — verify before booking
- No family pricing advantage
Bottom line: The default choice for most uninsured Americans. The $8.95 price point is hard to beat, and the 200K+ provider network means you'll almost always find an in-network dentist nearby.
Humana Dental Savings
Best for Seniors- Largest network of all plans reviewed (350K+)
- Strong coverage for dentures, implants, and restorative
- Trusted brand with Medicare supplement products
- Competitive pricing for family plans
- Slightly more expensive than Careington for individuals
- Online tools less polished than competitors
Bottom line: Humana's dental savings plan has the biggest provider network we found — over 350,000 locations. If you need dentures, implants, or significant restorative work, Humana's discounts for major procedures are consistently strong.
Aetna Dental Savings
Best Big-Brand Option- 217K+ dentist locations nationwide
- Strong urban coverage
- Same Aetna brand as major employer insurance
- Competitive pricing for individual plans
- Less compelling for rural areas
- No clear advantage over Careington for most users
Bottom line: Aetna's savings plan is a solid mid-tier choice. The brand recognition matters to some — especially people transitioning off Aetna employer coverage who want to stay in the same network ecosystem.
Cigna Dental Savings
Best for Northeast/Southeast- Strong coverage in Northeast and Southeast markets
- Familiar brand for employer Cigna users
- Good preventive care discounts
- 155K network is smaller than competitors
- Pricier than Careington for similar coverage
- Less competitive in rural areas
Bottom line: Cigna's savings plan makes the most sense if you're already in the Cigna ecosystem from a former employer plan. The smaller network is a real limitation for rural users, but urban Northeast/Southeast coverage is solid.
Spirit Dental
Best for Implants- No waiting periods on major procedures (unusual in this category)
- Strong implant and denture discounts
- Simple flat-rate pricing
- Smallest network of the plans we reviewed (120K)
- Pricier without a clear network advantage for routine care
Bottom line: Spirit Dental's main differentiator is no waiting period on major procedures. If you're planning an implant or denture soon and don't want to wait 6-12 months, Spirit's immediate access is worth the premium price.
Ameritas
Best for Rural / Midwest- 180K network with strong Midwest and rural reach
- Includes orthodontic coverage (rare for savings plans)
- 150+ year company history
- Family plan includes ortho for kids
- Pricier than Careington
- Less brand recognition than Aetna/Cigna/Humana
Bottom line: Ameritas stands out for two reasons: strong rural coverage and orthodontic discounts included. If you're in a smaller market and have kids who may need braces, Ameritas is worth a serious look.
How to Choose the Right Plan
Search each plan’s provider directory before signing up. If your current dentist isn’t in-network, you have two options: find a new dentist or pick the plan with the best coverage near you.
Routine care only? Careington at $8.95/mo is hard to beat. Need major work (implants, dentures)? Consider Humana or Spirit Dental. Senior on Medicare? Humana is designed for that transition.
At $8.95/month, Careington costs $107/year. A single cleaning without any plan typically runs $100–150. If you go once a year, you break even in one visit — and save on any additional work.
Our 5-question quiz matches you to the right plan based on where you live, what dentists you need, and what procedures you’re planning.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dental savings plan?
Careington is the best dental savings plan for most people — lowest price ($8.95/mo), 200K+ provider network, and no waiting periods. For seniors or anyone needing implants or dentures, Humana's dental savings plan offers the largest network (350K+) with strong major-procedure discounts.
Are dental savings plans worth it without insurance?
Yes, for most people. At $8.95/month, you pay $107/year. One cleaning without any plan runs $100–150. The math works even if you only visit once a year — and becomes significantly better if you need any fillings, extractions, or major work.
Do dental savings plans work immediately?
Yes — that's one of the biggest advantages over dental insurance. All plans we reviewed work from day one, including for major procedures. No waiting periods, no claims processing delays.
What's the difference between Careington and DentalPlans.com?
DentalPlans.com is a marketplace that sells multiple plans (including Careington). If you buy directly from Careington, you get the same plan at the same price without a middleman. DentalPlans.com is useful for comparison shopping, but once you know which plan you want, buy direct.
Can I use a dental savings plan with insurance?
Typically not simultaneously — most dentists will process one or the other. However, if your insurance has a low annual maximum (like $1,000), you can use insurance first, exhaust the maximum, then switch to a savings plan for additional work in the same year.