By published annual fee for one adult, the Aspen Dental Savings Plan is the cheapest at $49 a year, but it works only at participating Aspen Dental offices. Among plans with broad networks, Aetna Vital Savings starts at $7.99 a month plus a $20 start-up fee and lists more than 300,000 participating dentists, while Cigna and Careington plans sold on DentalPlans.com list at $154.95 to $184.95 a year. No plan we checked has published 2027 fees; prices are as of October 30, 2026.
- $49 a yearAspen Dental Savings Plan
- from $7.99 a monthAetna Vital Savings, Dental Only
- $154.95 a yearPreferred Network Access by Cigna
On this page
Prices at a glance
- Aspen Dental Savings Plan$49 a year
- Preferred Network Access by Cigna$154.95 a year
- CignaPlus Savings$184.95 a year
- Careington Care 500 Series$184.95 a year
Price table
| Item | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Dental Savings Plan[1] | $49 a year | $29 a year per added family member; Aspen Dental offices only |
| Aetna Vital Savings, Dental Only[2] | from $7.99 a month | Plus a one-time $20 start-up fee; 15% to 50% off |
| Preferred Network Access by Cigna[4] | $154.95 a year | Regular price on DentalPlans.com; 37% average savings |
| 1Dental[6] | from $175 a year | Administered by Careington; reported average savings 50% |
| CignaPlus Savings[3] | $184.95 a year | Regular price on DentalPlans.com; 37% average savings |
| Careington Care 500 Series[5] | $184.95 a year | Regular price on DentalPlans.com; 20% to 60% off; $20 processing fee |
Prices are national ranges from the sources listed below. Your price depends on your provider, location and case; confirm the cost with your provider before treatment. How we get these prices
How we ranked these plans
We ranked plans by the published annual fee for one adult at regular price, lowest first, as shown on each plan’s own site or its DentalPlans.com listing on October 30, 2026. Where fees tie, the plan with the larger stated national network comes first. We list waiting periods, network size and savings exactly as each seller publishes them; we did not join the plans or test them at a dentist, and savings depend on your dentist and ZIP code. Care Anytime’s own dental benefit is administered by Careington, the company behind the Care 500 Series and 1Dental, so we have left it out of the ranking.[9]
Dental savings plans compared
| Plan | Fee for one adult | Savings as published | Network as published | Waiting period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen Dental Savings Plan | $49 a year; $29 per added family member[1] | Free exams and X-rays, 30% off cleanings, 20% off crowns, bridges, implants and dentures[1] | Participating Aspen Dental practices; general dentists only[1] | Starts the day you enroll[1] |
| Aetna Vital Savings | From $7.99 a month, plus $20 one-time start-up fee[2] | 15% to 50%[2] | More than 300,000 participating dentists[2] | No waiting period[2] |
| Preferred Network Access by Cigna | $154.95 a year; $20 processing fee[4] | 37% average[4] | 1,130 dentists near ZIP 98104[4] | Activates in 1 to 2 days[4] |
| 1Dental | From $175 a year[6] | Reported average 50%[6] | Not stated; plans include Careington’s Care 500 Series[6] | No waiting period[6] |
| CignaPlus Savings | $184.95 a year[3] | 37% average[3] | More than 110,000 provider listings nationwide[3] | No waiting period[3] |
| Careington Care 500 Series | $184.95 a year; $20 processing fee[5] | 20% to 60%[5] | 1,528 dentists near ZIP 77002[5] | Activates in 2 to 3 days[5] |
On October 30, 2026, DentalPlans.com was running a 15% sale that lowered CignaPlus Savings and the Care 500 Series to $157.21 a year and Preferred Network Access by Cigna to $131.71.[3][4][5]
Best dental savings plan by need
- Lowest fee, if you live near an Aspen Dental office: Aspen Dental Savings Plan, $49 a year with free exams and X-rays. It does not cover specialists.[1]
- Lowest listed price with a national network: Aetna Vital Savings, from $7.99 a month plus $20, with more than 300,000 participating dentists, the largest network stated by any plan here.[2]
- Widest advertised savings range: Careington Care 500 Series, 20% to 60% off.[5]
- Many plans in one place: DentalPlans.com sells plans from Aetna, Cigna, Careington and others, lists 140,000 dentists, and shows a 30-day money-back guarantee.[7]
Sample prices with a plan
Each plan has its own fee schedule, which changes by ZIP code. Adult cleaning (code D1110) on DentalPlans.com listings:[3][4][5]
- Careington Care 500 Series, Houston: $33 with the plan, $137 without
- CignaPlus Savings, Charlotte: $76 with the plan, $114 without
- Preferred Network Access by Cigna, Seattle: $87 with the plan, $138 without
These are different cities, so they are not a direct comparison. Enter your own ZIP code and check that your dentist participates before you join.
What is confirmed for 2027
None of these plans had posted 2027 fees on October 30, 2026. Fees and sale prices change, so check the price on the day you buy.
Savings plan or insurance?
Real Dental Costs says insurance usually costs less for checkups only, while a savings plan with no annual cap often costs less for major work.[8] See dental insurance vs discount plan for a worked example, and dental discount plans vs insurance for how they work. Care Anytime members get 20% to 50% savings on most procedures through its dental benefit.[9]
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dental savings plan for 2027?
No plan we checked has published 2027 fees. On October 30, 2026, the lowest fee was Aspen Dental's $49 a year, for Aspen Dental offices only. For a broad network, Aetna Vital Savings had the lowest listed starting price, $7.99 a month plus a $20 start-up fee, and the largest stated network, more than 300,000 participating dentists.
How much does a dental savings plan cost?
Real Dental Costs puts most discount plans at $80 to $200 a year, averaging $140. The plans we checked ranged from $49 a year (Aspen Dental) to $184.95 a year at regular price (CignaPlus Savings and Careington Care 500 Series), before family add-ons and processing fees.
Do dental savings plans have waiting periods?
The plans we checked list none. Aspen Dental says discounts start the same day you enroll, Aetna Vital Savings says there is no waiting period, and DentalPlans.com listings say plans activate in 1 to 3 days.
Are dental savings plans worth it?
They tend to pay off when you need more than checkups. Real Dental Costs says insurance usually wins for preventive-only care, while a discount plan with 10% to 60% off and no annual cap often wins for major work. See dental insurance vs discount plan for an example.
Is a dental savings plan insurance?
No. DentalPlans.com says savings plans are not insurance. The plan does not pay the dentist; you pay the discounted fee yourself at a participating dentist.
Can I cancel a dental savings plan?
DentalPlans.com shows a 30-day money-back guarantee, and 1Dental lets you cancel within the first 30 days for a refund less a small processing fee. Check each plan's terms before you buy.
Related
Sources
- 1 Aspen Dental. Aspen Dental Savings Plan. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 2 Aetna Vital Savings. Aetna Vital Savings dental discount plans. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 3 DentalPlans.com. CignaPlus Savings: plan benefits (ZIP 28202). Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 4 DentalPlans.com. Preferred Network Access by Cigna: plan benefits (ZIP 98104). Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 5 DentalPlans.com. Careington Care 500 Series: plan benefits (ZIP 77002). Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 6 1Dental. 1Dental discount dental plans. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 7 DentalPlans.com. Dental savings plans. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 8 Real Dental Costs. Dental Insurance Guide: Premiums, Coverage, Waiting Periods. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 9 Care Anytime. Dental Discounts. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.