Best Dental Savings Plans in Minnesota (2026)
Short answer
A dental savings plan at $99–$189/year makes sense for Minnesotans who earn too much for Medical Assistance but cannot justify $40–$65/month for individual dental insurance. Careington is the Twin Cities default at $129/year.
Minnesota has relatively strong public health infrastructure — Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare cover more adults than most states. Despite this, over 600,000 Minnesotans lack dental coverage, concentrated among self-employed workers, independent contractors, and small business owners who don't qualify for public programs. Minneapolis dental costs are comparable to Chicago — routine cleanings run $190–$330. A dental savings plan at $99–$189/year makes sense for Minnesotans who earn too much for Medical Assistance but can't justify $40–$65/month for individual dental insurance. See the best dental savings plans of 2026 ranking, or run Twin Cities prices in the dental savings calculator.
Top Dental Savings Plans in Minnesota
1. Careington 500 Series — Best Overall
Cost: $129/year individual · $189/year family Minnesota network: 4,000+ participating locations
Careington covers the Twin Cities metro — Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, and the western suburbs — reasonably well. Coverage drops in Greater Minnesota (rural areas outside the metro), but for the 65%+ of Minnesotans in the Twin Cities area, Careington's $129/year flat rate is the best value. Full pricing: Careington 500 Series review.
Typical Twin Cities savings:
- Routine cleaning + X-rays: save $100–$185
- Crown: save $255–$480
- Root canal (molar): save $250–$450
2. Humana Dental Savings — Best for Rochester and Greater Minnesota
Cost: $6.99/month individual (priced per applicant — no family/couple tier) Minnesota network: 5,500+ participating locations
Humana's national network reach is the key advantage in Greater Minnesota — Rochester (Mayo Clinic corridor), Duluth, St. Cloud, Mankato, and the Iron Range all have better Humana coverage than Careington. It's also the cheaper plan at $6.99/month versus Careington's $12.95, so there's no price trade-off if you're anywhere outside the Twin Cities. See the Humana Dental Savings review.
3. Aetna Dental Savings — Best for Minneapolis Corporate Workers
Cost: $7.99/month individual · $10.99/month family Minnesota network: 4,500+ participating locations
Minneapolis is home to Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and a dozen other Fortune 500 companies. Aetna has employer insurance relationships with several major Twin Cities employers. If you've recently gone independent after working at a large Minneapolis employer and had Aetna dental, the savings plan keeps you in the same network. See the Aetna Dental Savings review.
4. DentalPlans.com — Best for St. Paul and Suburbs
Cost: From $7/month (varies by plan) Minnesota network: Search by your specific dentist
St. Paul has a distinct dental provider landscape from Minneapolis — different insurance market share, different independent practice density. DentalPlans.com's dentist-first search is the right tool for Twin Cities residents who are attached to a specific provider and want to verify coverage before buying.
Most readers do better with Careington
Careington rates 4.4★ — the highest of any plan we review — with One of the largest U.S. dental networks, so you’re likelier to find an accepting dentist near you. From $12.95/mo, 20-60% savings, no waiting periods.
DentalPlans.com still fits if you want to browse many carriers’ plans in one marketplace before committing — but if you already know you want the widest network with clear couple and family tiers, Careington is the plan most people land on anyway.
Enroll →Minnesota Dental Costs: With and Without a Plan
| Procedure | Twin Cities Avg (No Plan) | Greater MN Avg | With Savings Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning + exam + X-rays | $200–$335 | $165–$275 | $115–$195 |
| Composite filling | $170–$280 | $140–$235 | $90–$165 |
| Root canal (molar) | $910–$1,450 | $770–$1,200 | $580–$945 |
| Crown (porcelain) | $1,100–$1,750 | $930–$1,500 | $680–$1,050 |
| Implant (full) | $3,400–$5,500 | $2,900–$4,600 | $2,100–$3,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Minnesota Medicaid cover dental for adults? Yes — Minnesota Medical Assistance covers comprehensive dental for eligible adults, including preventive, basic restorative, and limited major services. Minnesota is among the more generous states for adult Medicaid dental coverage. MinnesotaCare also includes some dental benefits. Check eligibility at mn.gov/dhs.
Are dental schools in Minnesota available to the public? The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry (Minneapolis) is one of the top dental schools in the country and offers comprehensive dental services to the public at significantly reduced rates. High quality; plan for longer wait times for complex procedures.
Bottom Line for Minnesota
- Twin Cities metro: Careington at $129/year is the default — adequate network, plus clear couple ($169/yr) and family ($189/yr) tiers. For one person only, Humana ($6.99/mo) and Aetna ($75/yr) cost less
- Greater Minnesota: Humana's broader network is the better pick outside the metro
- Minneapolis corporate/post-employer: Aetna keeps you in your existing network
- Research-oriented: DentalPlans.com lets you verify your dentist and compare Twin Cities options
Also comparing chain dental offices? Aspen Dental runs its own in-house savings plan — see how it compares to a national network: Aspen Dental savings plan vs. a national plan →
Compare all plans and find what works in your Minnesota ZIP code →Not Sure Which Plan Fits?
Answer 5 quick questions and our advisor matches you to a plan that fits your dentist and budget: Find my plan (~1 min) →
Or see the full national ranking: Best dental savings plans of 2026 →