Published March 10, 2026 · Updated April 1, 2026
Summit Savings Plan: Affordable Dental Care Without Insurance
By the Summit Ridge Dental Team
About 74 million Americans don't have dental insurance. If you're one of them — whether you're self-employed, between jobs, retired, or working for a company that doesn't offer dental benefits — you already know how expensive out-of-pocket dental care can feel. We created the Summit Savings Plan specifically so cost never becomes the reason someone skips the dental care they need.
How the Summit Savings Plan Works
The Summit Savings Plan is a simple in-house membership — not insurance. You pay $299 per year (or $29 per month), and here's what you get:
Included at No Additional Cost
Two professional cleanings per year. Two comprehensive exams per year. One full set of diagnostic X-rays per year (bitewings at each cleaning, panoramic annually). One emergency exam per year if an urgent issue comes up.
20% Off Everything Else
Any treatment beyond your included preventive care — fillings, crowns, root canals, implants, Invisalign, cosmetic treatments, whitening — is discounted 20% off our standard fee schedule. This discount applies to every service, every time, for as long as your membership is active.
There are no deductibles, no waiting periods, no claim forms, no pre-authorizations, and no annual maximums. You sign up, your benefits start immediately, and you use them at any of our three locations — Scottsdale, Tempe, or Gilbert.
The Math: Summit Savings Plan vs. Paying Out of Pocket
Let's look at what a typical year of dental care costs without any plan versus with the Summit Savings Plan.
| Service | Out-of-Pocket Cost | Summit Savings Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cleanings | $280 | Included |
| 2 Exams | $180 | Included |
| Annual X-rays | $150 | Included |
| Preventive Total | $610 | $299 (plan fee) |
| 1 Filling (example) | $250 | $200 (20% off) |
| Year Total | $860 | $499 |
In this example, the Summit Savings Plan saves $361 over the course of a year — and that's with just one filling. The savings grow significantly if you need a crown, root canal, or other major treatment. A single crown at 20% off saves roughly $250 to $350, which more than covers the annual membership by itself.
Summit Savings Plan vs. Dental Insurance
Dental insurance has its place, especially if your employer covers most or all of the premium. But if you're paying for dental insurance out of pocket, the math often doesn't work as well as people assume.
A typical individual dental insurance plan costs $30 to $60 per month — that's $360 to $720 per year in premiums. Most plans have an annual maximum benefit of $1,000 to $1,500, meaning the insurance company stops paying once you hit that cap. You'll also deal with deductibles (usually $50 to $100 before coverage kicks in), waiting periods (often 6 to 12 months for major procedures), and pre-authorization requirements that can delay treatment.
The Summit Savings Plan costs $299 per year with no maximum, no deductible, no waiting period, and no pre-authorization. For patients who need one or two major procedures in a year, the savings plan often comes out ahead of insurance — and it's dramatically simpler to use.
Who Is the Summit Savings Plan For?
The plan is designed for anyone without dental insurance, but we see a few groups that benefit the most. Self-employed professionals and small business owners who don't have access to group dental plans. Retirees who lost their dental coverage when they left their employer — Medicare doesn't cover routine dental care. Young adults aging off their parents' insurance at 26. Families shopping for affordable coverage — we offer a family rate of $499 per year for two adults and up to three children under 18.
Many of our Summit Savings Plan members tell us the same thing: they used to skip their cleanings and only came in when something hurt. Now they stay on schedule because the preventive visits are already covered. That shift alone — from reactive to preventive care — saves them money and keeps their teeth healthier long-term.
Can I Combine the Savings Plan with Financing?
Yes. The 20% discount applies first, and then you can spread the remaining balance over monthly payments through CareCredit or Lending Club — both offer 0% interest plans for 12 to 24 months on qualifying balances. So if you need a dental implant, for example, you get 20% off the treatment fee and then pay the rest in interest-free monthly installments. Our front desk team sets up the financing for you during your visit.
How to Sign Up
You can enroll in the Summit Savings Plan at any of our three offices — Scottsdale, Tempe, or Gilbert — or by phone. The enrollment takes about five minutes, and your benefits start the same day. There are no health questionnaires, no waiting periods, and no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
If you'd like to discuss whether the plan makes sense for your situation, call any of our offices and ask to speak with our insurance coordinator. They'll walk you through the numbers based on your specific needs and help you figure out the most affordable path to the care you need.