There are actually more hygienists in Canada than there are dentists. So it's really not a skill shortage per se. It's more of a location shortage, where those skills meet the patient.
Dentistry works in a team concept. There's a tremendous respect for each others' skills and the skills of the other team members. You mentioned that dental hygienists are absolutely essential to providing the care that's required. The challenge is less on the numbers and the shortage of skills than in trying to get those skills to where they're needed and have them stay there.