This one trips people up, because Careington and 1Dental aren't really rivals — 1Dental resells the Careington Care 500 network. Join either and you're using the same participating dentists and the same 20–60% discount schedule. The difference is packaging and price. Careington's 500 Series sells direct from $8.95/month ($99/year) for an individual, with separate couple and family rates. 1Dental packages that same Care 500 network at a flat $16.95/month that covers a whole household, plus a one-time $30 setup fee, and offers a $24.95/month bundle that adds the Aetna Dental Access network for specialist work (implants, braces, oral surgery). For a single person, buying Careington direct is cheaper. For a family that wants one membership for everyone — or anyone who needs specialist discounts in one package — 1Dental can come out ahead. Run your own numbers below.
The most widely-used dental discount network
★★★★☆4.4From $8.95/mo · 200,000+ network dentists
The Careington network, sold direct — with an Aetna add-on for specialists
★★★★☆4.3From $16.95/mo · Careington network — 100,000+ participating dentists
| Feature | Careington 500 Series | 1Dental |
|---|---|---|
| Individual/month | ✓$8.95/mo | $16.95/mo (household) |
| Family/household/month | ✓$13.95/mo | $16.95/mo (whole household) |
| Annual (individual) | ✓$99/yr | ~$203/yr + $30 setup |
| One-time setup fee | ✓None | $30 (non-refundable) |
| Underlying network | Careington — 200,000+ dentists | Careington network (resold) |
| Typical savings | 20–60% | 20–60% |
| Specialist discounts | ✓Included (single network) | Bundle only — $24.95/mo (adds Aetna network) |
| Household coverage | Separate couple/family tiers | ✓One membership covers the household |
| Activation time | 3 business days | 3 business days |
| Waiting period | None | None |
| Annual maximum | None | None |
| Plan type | Direct savings plan | Reseller of the Careington plan |
Same network, so it comes down to math: Careington direct is cheaper for individuals and small families; 1Dental's flat household rate (and its specialist bundle) can win for larger households or anyone who wants general + specialist discounts in one package.
You're an individual or a couple. Buying the Care 500 network direct from Careington at $8.95/month ($99/year individual, $149/year family) is the cheapest way onto that network — no $30 setup fee, and the same dentists and discounts 1Dental resells. For most single people and small families, direct is the better deal.
You have a larger household, since 1Dental's flat $16.95/month covers everyone under one membership. It's also the simpler pick if you want specialist discounts bundled in — the $24.95/month tier adds the Aetna Dental Access network for implants, braces, and oral surgery in a single plan. Just factor in the one-time $30 setup fee when you compare.
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