Is 1Dental the same as Careington?▼
1Dental isn't Careington the company, but its general-dentistry plan runs on the Careington Care 500 network — the same participating dentists and the same discounted fee schedule. You can join that network direct from Careington or as a 1Dental household membership; the discounts at the dentist are the same either way.
Which is cheaper, Careington or 1Dental?▼
For a single person, Careington's individual tier is the lower price — $129/year plus a one-time $20 fee, versus 1Dental's $175/year (all fees included). For a household, 1Dental's 3+ member tier ($229/yr) covers everyone under one membership, while Careington prices its family tier at $189/year — so the difference on a family is about $40/year, which many families trade for 1Dental's simpler single membership and 30-day money-back guarantee.
Does 1Dental cover specialists like Careington?▼
Yes. 1Dental covers implants, braces, and other specialist work at the Careington network rate. For the deepest specialist discounts, the 1Dental Preferred Plan (from $247/yr) layers the Aetna Dental Access network on top — useful for oral surgeons and periodontists. Careington's 500 Series includes specialist discounts within its single network.
Is there a setup fee with either plan?▼
1Dental has no separate setup fee — its prices are all-in (1 member $175/yr, 2 members $211/yr, 3+ members $229/yr). Careington charges a one-time $20 processing fee on top of its membership rate ($129/year individual).
Can I use either plan with my own dentist?▼
Only if your dentist participates in the Careington network (and, for 1Dental's bundle, the Aetna network for specialists). Both plans work the same way: search the network directory for your dentist before enrolling. If they're not in-network, neither plan helps you at that office.
Is 1Dental worth it over going direct through Careington?▼
For a household of three or more, yes — 1Dental's $229/yr household tier is simpler than juggling Careington's per-person math, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee Careington doesn't explicitly advertise. For a single person, going direct through Careington is cheaper ($129/yr plus a one-time $20 fee vs 1Dental's $175/yr), so there's no reason to pay 1Dental's markup.
Does 1Dental charge one price no matter how many people are on the plan?▼
No — pricing is tiered by headcount, not a single price for every household size. 1Dental charges $175/yr for one member, $211/yr for two, and $229/yr for a household of three or more. A single person and a family of six both fall into a tier, but the tiers themselves scale with how many people are covered.
What is Careington's price list versus 1Dental's?▼
Careington: $12.95/mo individual ($129/yr), $16.95/mo couple ($169/yr), $18.95/mo family ($189/yr), plus a one-time $20 processing fee. 1Dental: $175/yr for one member, $211/yr for two, $229/yr for a household of three or more, all fees included, no setup charge. Both run on the same Careington Care 500 network, so the price difference is purely about packaging, not access.
Why would anyone pay more for 1Dental if it's the same network as Careington?▼
Three reasons people choose it anyway: the 30-day money-back guarantee, the all-in pricing with no separate $20 setup fee, and the option to add the Preferred Plan's Aetna Dental Access layer for deeper specialist discounts. None of that changes which dentists you can see — it changes how forgiving the purchase is if you're not sure you'll use it.
Can I switch from Careington to 1Dental or back?▼
Yes. Since both run on the same underlying network, switching doesn't change which dentists you can see — it only changes your billing structure and price. Cancel one and enroll in the other; there's no waiting period or network gap either way.
Does 1Dental's Preferred Plan actually add value over the base plan?▼
Only if you need specialist work — implants, oral surgery, or complex orthodontics through the Aetna Dental Access layer it adds. For routine cleanings and fillings, the base 1Dental plan (same as Careington's network) covers you at the same rate the Preferred Plan does, so the extra ~$18–70/yr is only worth it for specialist-heavy cases.
Is Careington or 1Dental better for a family of five?▼
Careington's family tier is $189/yr and covers the whole household regardless of size, same as 1Dental's $229/yr 3+ tier. For a household of exactly five, Careington is $40/year cheaper for identical network access — the only reason to pick 1Dental at that size is the money-back guarantee and all-in pricing with no $20 fee.
Does either plan cover a root canal?▼
Yes — both discount root canals at the same Careington Care 500 network rate, since 1Dental runs on that exact network. A root canal typically costs $700–1,500 depending on the tooth, so a 30% discount within the plan's published range is $210–450 in real savings on a single procedure, identical under either membership.
What happens if I move to a different state?▼
Both memberships are national, so coverage travels with you — search the Careington provider directory for your new zip code, since it's the same network whether you enrolled through Careington directly or through 1Dental. Neither plan requires re-enrollment or a new waiting period after a move.
Can I add a spouse or child to my plan later?▼
With Careington, yes — upgrade from individual to couple or family tier at any point, and the new tier ($169/yr couple, $189/yr family) covers your household from that date. With 1Dental, moving from the 1-member ($175/yr) to the 2-member ($211/yr) or 3+ ($229/yr) tier works the same way — you just move up a tier as your household grows.
Is there a waiting period for crowns or dentures on either plan?▼
No. Neither Careington nor 1Dental imposes a waiting period for any procedure on the shared Careington Care 500 network, including crowns and dentures — a real difference from traditional dental insurance. Careington activates within 3 business days; 1Dental advertises immediate use once enrollment is confirmed.
What if my dentist drops out of the Careington network?▼
Since both plans share the exact same underlying network, a dentist dropping out affects Careington and 1Dental enrollees identically — you'd search the provider directory for a new in-network dentist either way. This is one reason the "which network is bigger" question doesn't really apply between these two; it's the same network under two different price tags.
Does either plan cover dentures?▼
Yes — both discount full and partial dentures at the same Careington Care 500 network rate within its published 20–60% range, since 1Dental sits on that identical network. A full denture set typically runs $1,000–3,000, so the discount can mean $200–1,800 in real savings depending on where in that range your dentist's fee lands.
Can I use either plan for a same-day emergency visit?▼
Availability depends on the individual dentist, but 1Dental advertises immediate use once enrollment is confirmed, which can matter if you need same-day emergency care. Careington activates within 3 business days, so if you need coverage today for a sudden problem, 1Dental's faster activation is the more practical choice — the discount itself is identical once both are active.
Does either membership expire if I don't use it?▼
No — both stay active for the term you paid, whether monthly-equivalent billing on Careington or the annual 1Dental tiers, regardless of how often you visit a dentist. There's no use-it-or-lose-it structure on either plan; the membership simply continues until you cancel or the term ends.
Is the 30-day money-back guarantee unique to 1Dental?▼
As advertised, yes — 1Dental explicitly markets a 30-day money-back guarantee, while Careington's cancellation terms aren't framed the same way in its marketing. Since both run on the identical network, the guarantee is really a purchase-risk feature, not a coverage difference — it only matters if you're unsure whether you'll actually use the plan.
Which plan is better for a self-employed individual?▼
For one person, Careington's direct individual tier is cheaper ($129/yr plus a one-time $20 fee vs 1Dental's $175/yr), so a self-employed individual without dependents saves more going direct. The math flips the moment you're covering a spouse or kids, where 1Dental's household tiers start looking more competitive against Careington's per-tier pricing.
How much would a family of four actually pay on Careington vs 1Dental over a year?▼
Careington's family tier runs $189/year plus a one-time $20 fee, totaling $209 in year one and $189/year after. 1Dental's 3+ member household tier is $229/year flat, all fees included, every year. Over three years that's $587 for Careington versus $687 for 1Dental — a $100 difference for identical network access, which is the real price of 1Dental's money-back guarantee and simpler all-in billing.
Does either plan cover teeth whitening?▼
Both discount cosmetic work like whitening at participating dentists within the shared Careington Care 500 network's published range, since 1Dental runs on that identical network. Coverage depth for cosmetic procedures tends to vary more by individual dentist than by which of the two memberships you hold — confirm with your specific office before assuming full cosmetic coverage.
Can I use either plan alongside Medicare Advantage dental coverage?▼
Yes — use your Medicare Advantage dental rider first for whatever it pays, then apply your Careington or 1Dental card for any remaining balance at a participating dentist. Since both run the same underlying network, the stacking mechanics work identically either way; the choice between them still comes down to household size and pricing, not Medicare compatibility.