A dispenser for applying small amounts of liquid to a substrate. The dispenser includes a dispenser body, an actuator in the dispenser body, and a dispensing element including a dispensing element body removably coupled to the dispenser body. A valve stem is mounted for reciprocating movement within the dispensing element body. Additional aspects include a deformable valve seat, a deformable and resilient valve stem tip and a method of applying liquid in discrete amounts to a substrate.