A new survey of Irish dentists indicates the sector is facing up to 1,000 job losses in 2012, according to the Irish Dental Associaiton (IDA)

The survey found that 86% of dentists saw their turnover fall in 2011, with almost half (49%) recording falls of over 20%.

Half of the dentists said they expected their turnover to fall further in 2012 and one in four said they believed their practice would be reducing staff numbers in the coming year.

The IDA says the lay-offs will affect dentists, hygienists and technicians as well as receptionists and administrative staff working in dental practices.

According to the survey, 20% of dentists want to sell their practice but cannot do so because there are few buyers in the market.

The survey of over 300 dentists was carried out on behalf of the Irish Dental Association by Omega Financial Management.

IDA Chief Executive Fintan Hourihan said the findings showed how the recession and the cutbacks to dental schemes are impacting dentists all over the country.

"We have highlighted on many occasions the negative impact the cutbacks to the medical card dental scheme and the PRSI scheme are having on patients.  We have already seen two thousand job losses over the last two years and if a quarter of dentists say they are looking at reducing staff numbers that translates into 1,000 job losses," Mr Hourihan said.