Almost 150,000 Queenslanders are waiting to see a dentist in the public health system, as new figures show the State Government is unable to reduce the number of those queueing for help.

Key points: Callie Westbrook has been waiting for appointments on and off for six years as her teeth continue to deteriorate

Callie Westbrook has been waiting for appointments on and off for six years as her teeth continue to deteriorate In those waiting periods, minor problems became more serious, more painful, and dentists would be forced to extract more of her teeth

In those waiting periods, minor problems became more serious, more painful, and dentists would be forced to extract more of her teeth Ms Westbrook faces having up to 10 more teeth removed — bringing her total to 23 — and needing partial dentures created

Data released by Queensland Health in January showed 145,249 people were on the list — just 500 fewer than 12 months earlier.

That is despite the public system treating thousands of people per month, including more than 6,000 in January.

Callie Westbrook, 36, from Queensland's Sunshine Coast has been waiting for appointments on and off for six years as her teeth continue to deteriorate.

She said her teeth became an issue after the birth of her youngest child, when a doctor warned her that pregnancy had left her with low calcium levels.

Ms Westbrook said the prolonged wait had taken a toll.

"I don't like the way I look — I avoid going out into public places because I don't want people looking at me and thinking poorly of me," Ms Westbrook said.

Callie Westbrook has had 13 teeth removed in the past six years. ( ABC News: Bruce Atkinson )

In 2012, she sought help from Queensland Health.

Each time an appointment was made and a tooth extracted or filled, she would have to wait weeks or months for another appointment.

In one instance, she described a three-month wait for treatment that forced her to hold a warm wheat pack to her face as pain radiated from her mouth.

She said in those waiting periods, minor problems would become more serious, more painful, and dentists would be forced to extract teeth.

Ms Westbrook has now had 13 teeth removed.

Callie Westbrook may lose a further 10 teeth. ( ABC News: Bruce Atkinson )

Time not on the side of people needing dental care

The issue also concerns dental experts.

Public dental care in Queensland: 145,249 people are on the public waiting list for dental care in Queensland

145,249 people are on the public waiting list for dental care in Queensland 67,925 on that list saw a dentist in the past 12 months.

67,925 on that list saw a dentist in the past 12 months. Less than half of those needing 'priority' care were seen within the department's own recommended times

Less than half of those needing 'priority' care were seen within the department's own recommended times between 7,000 and 9,000 people are added to the list each month Source: Queensland Health

Australian Dental Association Queensland Professor Ian Meyers said time was not on the side of people needing dental care.

"The longer it takes to get treatment, there's a much higher risk of something going wrong," Professor Meyers said.

"Certainly we would love to see those waiting lists reduced — the more people who can have their mouth assessed can find out if there are likely problems and deal with them early.

"That's a far better approach than waiting until they have a problem."

He said dental waiting lists were even more complicated to deal with because people who received treatment may immediately rejoin the list for a future check-up.

Queensland Health confirmed between 7,000 and 9,000 people were added to the list each month.

Patients frustrated with waiting

Professor Meyers warned more people might need dental care but may not be on the list because they had become frustrated with waiting.

"If the waiting list gets too long, people just don't want to join it," Professor Meyers said.

"Once the waiting list gets shorter, it becomes more attractive and people go on it."

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said most people on the dental waiting list were seen within the recommended wait times, which fell between a week for urgent issues, a year for minor problems, and two years for "non-urgent" matters, which included check-ups.

Health Minister Steven Miles said cuts of 30 per cent or $8.7 million made by the Federal Government in late 2016 was still putting pressure on the system.

"Despite this funding cut, most people have been treated within clinically recommended times and the public dental waitlist has remained steady," Mr Miles said.

The office of the Federal Health Minister said it was not to blame for the waiting list issues, saying the Australian Government still puts $70.4 million towards supporting dental services in Queensland.

More people might need dental care who are not on the list. ( ABC News: Owen Jacques )

Ten more teeth to be removed

For Ms Westbrook, there is an end in sight to her dental dramas.

Last year a public dentist assessed her and put her on an emergency care plan.

As part of that, she would have up to 10 more teeth removed — bringing her total to 23 — and partial dentures created.

But Ms Westbrook said she was disappointed at how hard it had been to reach this point.