Described are metering dispensers (10) having a body (100) configured to hold a flowable composition in a chamber, a drive screw (300) coupled to the body, and a plunger (400) threadingly coupled to the drive screw. The plunger includes at least two annular lips (416) that form a fluid seal with the chamber as the plunger travels along the drive screw through the chamber. A base (200) is rotationally coupled to the body with a cam (208) that contacts at least one tab (114) extending externally from the body so that the tab enters at least one low point (222) on the cam by traveling over a trailing edge (226) of the low point, and the trailing edge then prevents the tab from exiting the low point in the direction of the trailing edge.