The first of a three-part series examines the 30.5% of 1,370 consecutively examided adult orthodontic patients who were treated by a solo provider. (The other two provider groups - dual and multiple - will be considered in subsequent reports.) The solo provider group was further divided into three categories: Physiologic occlusion, no orthodontic treatment, physilogic occlusion, observation; and comprehensive, corrective orthodontics. Classification by treatment needs and provider groups rather than malocclusions was done so that all parties concerned, especially the orthodontist and other dental care providers, could gain insight into proper management of adult patients throughout their therapies to achieve higher compliance levels and optimal dentofacial results.