A NEAR 50% reduction in dental waiting lists on the Southern Downs has been hailed as a fantastic result by Health Minister Lawrence Springborg.

Statistics from the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service show a 43% drop in the number of Southern Downs residents on long wait dental lists.

Mr Springborg said the results were a credit to the hospital board and oral health staff.

"Our oral health staff have done a great job rising to the challenge," he said.

"We've seen results never before been achieved in Queensland."

Across Queensland dental waiting lists, both general and long wait, have seen dramatic falls - with some areas whittling the number of patients waiting for treatment down to zero.

"I doubt anywhere else in Australia would be able to make such a change," he said

"We're hoping to reduce long waits to zero by the middle of the year."

While the system is performing a lot better, it won't necessarily be perfect for everyone, Mr Springborg said.

"It won't be ideal for everyone," he said.

"Long waits have been very much reduced."

The fall in waiting lists is a result of a taxpayer funded dental voucher scheme, which has seen more than 80,000 vouchers issued to eligible Queenslanders.

The scheme has seen a partnership between private providers and public clinics formed, as both sectors commit to tackling waiting lists.

The resurgence in confidence in the state's dental health system isn't without its challenges, Mr Springborg said.

"We've been flooded by people who had given up on the system," he said.

"Patients see hope to have their dental work done."

The Health Minister said 40% of Queenslanders were eligible for public dental, a higher rate than anywhere else in Australia.

"We've fallen victim to our own success," he said.

"It goes to show how much dental services are needed."

The increase in demand for access to dental services has led to more demand for jobs, with no vacant positions for oral health workers on the Darling Downs.

Despite the improvements to the system, Mr Springborg said they are not a substitute for maintaining personal oral health.

"It's important to look after your oral health," he said.

"Prevention is better than a cure."

Mr Springborg said from an overall health perspective, oral health is absolutely crucial.

"Teeth and oral health are so important to overall wellbeing," he said.

"Toothaches can become debilitating and affect overall quality of life."