The question comes up constantly: should you get a dental savings plan or dental insurance? The short answer depends on your situation — specifically whether you get employer dental insurance, what dental work you need, and how often you go to the dentist. Dental insurance makes sense when it's subsidized by your employer or when you have significant upcoming dental needs with predictable high bills. Dental savings plans are almost always better when you're paying out of pocket, uninsured, or need care with no waiting period. Here's the full breakdown.
| Feature | Dental Savings Plan | Dental Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | ✓$8–14/mo (individual) | $30–60/mo (individual) |
| Annual cost | ✓$99–149/yr (family) | $400–700/yr (individual, unsubsidized) |
| Deductible | ✓None | $50–150/yr typically |
| Annual maximum benefit | ✓None (unlimited savings) | $1,000–2,000/yr (most plans) |
| Waiting periods | ✓None — use day of activation | 6–12 months for major work |
| Claims process | ✓No claims — pay discounted rate directly | File claims, get reimbursed later |
| Pre-existing conditions | ✓No restrictions | Sometimes excluded or limited |
| Preventive care (cleanings) | 20–60% discount | ✓Often 100% covered |
| Coverage guarantee | Discount guaranteed by contract | Payment by insurer (up to annual max) |
| Employer subsidy | Rarely offered by employers | ✓Often subsidized by employer |
| Best for | Uninsured, self-employed, those needing major work now | Employer plans, preventive-heavy users, families |
Savings plans win on cost, flexibility, and no waiting periods. Insurance wins on free preventive care and employer subsidies.
You're paying out of pocket (no employer dental), need dental work now and can't wait 6–12 months, have pre-existing conditions that insurance might restrict, or want to save on major work (crowns, implants, dentures) where insurance annual maximums are typically too low to cover much anyway. A Careington family plan at $149/year is hard to beat for a self-employed individual or a family without employer benefits.
Your employer subsidizes dental insurance (making it cheap or free), you primarily need preventive care (cleanings, X-rays) which insurance typically covers 100%, or you are anticipating moderate amounts of restorative work that fits within the annual maximum. Employer-subsidized dental insurance at $0–10/mo is almost always worth taking.
Our 2-minute quiz matches you with the best dental savings plan based on your dentist, budget, and what dental work you need.
Take the Free Quiz →This comparison is independent. We may earn a commission if you enroll through our links — at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.