Updated: 2/13/2020 Discount plans have started to become more and more common in today’s economy (there are more than 8 million members in our Careington dental plan). With the dawn…

See What You're Going to Pay at the Dentist

How Discount Dental Plans Work

Updated: 2/13/2020

Discount plans have started to become more and more common in today’s economy (there are more than 8 million members in our Careington dental plan). With the dawn of a new year, many people are looking for new ways to save money and get healthy in 2012.

Dental discount plans have been saving people a lot of money on dental care since 1979. Good Morning America recently endorsed discount plans as a great way to save money. And a leading dental publication, Dental Products Report, also featured 1Dental.com in its May 2011 issue  for offering an affordable dental solution for dentists and patients during the recession.

People sometimes ask how the plan can be so affordable. Does it really work? The system is actually quite simple: unlike traditional insurance plans, a discount dental plan benefits both the patient and the dentist. Watch this short video to learn how it works:

If you want to learn more about how discount dental plans compare with traditional insurance, check out this discount and dental insurance comparison guide.

Sadly, there are some dental plans out there that might not be worth the money. The following articles can help you identify a scam before it’s too late:

Is Your Discount Plan Legitimate?

FTC Warns of Discount Scams

Do you have dental coverage for 2012?

15 Comments
  1. I’m considering Careington Care 500, with the free vision care. My current vision insurance is $15.00+/month. A few questions. I’m considering purchasing glasses and contact lenses. If I purchase your plan and keep my current plan, can I use them BOTH at the vision care provider (his office is in your network)? Another question is, are the prices on your site fixed prices,prices I really would pay out-of-pocket? Also, how much are office visits for either your dental or vision?

    • Hi Elliott, you would have to check with your vision provider, but most will allow you to use both plans together. The list of prices you see on our website is the same list that we provide all our dentists with, and they are contracted to charge you right off of that list. The price for office visits for both dental and vision will depend on what you’re needing done, and all procedures can be found on our fee schedules. Basic oral exams and eye exams are included on the schedule.

      If you would like to sign up, you can do so by using this application link.

      Let me know if you have anymore questions. Thanks for reading!

    • Hi Laurina, our dental plan is not a supplemental plan, so you do not have to have insurance to use it. However, if you do have insurance, some dentists will allow you to use it alongside the insurance. For example, if you hit your maximum on the insurance, you can use the plan to help pay off the rest of the expenses at a discounted rate. Thanks for stopping by!

  2. we get dental insurance from my husbands work but they cover so little. Can you use both the insurance and the discount plan together?

    • Hi Nikki, you can use the dental plan as a supplement to the insurance as long as your dentist takes both plans. For example, if you hit your maximum on the insurance, you can then switch to the discount plan to continue saving money on your dental work!

  3. Hi,

    Just joined Careington Care 500 recently and made an appointment with a dentist on your net. The dentist charged me $129.95 for cleanings while the plan showing $ 49. I asked the reason, he said no one will give me cleanings at $49.

    Vera

    • Hi Vera, we’re sorry to hear about that misunderstanding. If your dentist is in network with the Careington Care 500 plan, he is contractually obligated to give you the discounted price. You can check to make sure the dentist is in network here, or please give us a call at (800)372-7615.

  4. My dental rates are going up every year. Just the beginning of this year we experienced the same thing. Since I routinely go to the dentist it is imperative that I have a good dental plan. The downside is that I need to start looking elsewhere for lower premiums. :(

    • Thanks for commenting. Have you tried a discount plan like the Careington 500? The discounts are pretty consistent, and it’s a very affordable cost to be on the plan. The best part: since it’s not insurance, you don’t have to mess with premiums and co-pay!

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